If the Packers are Kaepernick's punching bag, the Seahawks are tantamount to Mike Tyson in his prime. Kaepernick's late-game failings in the 49ers' 23-17 loss in the NFC Championship Game were his highest-profile, but not the only time the Seahawks left the dual-threat QB looking more dazed than dynamic.

In his four career starts against Seattle, Kaepernick has a 1-3 record, three touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 54.0 rating. In his other 25 career starts, he's 20-5 with 35 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 99.7 rating.

More? In three starts against Seattle this season, Kaepernick had eight turnovers. In his other 16 starts in 2013-14, he had ... eight turnovers.

Of course, Kaepernick is hardly alone. The Seahawks will meet the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII headlined by a defense that led the NFL in points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways. The last team to accomplish that feat: the 1985 Bears, who are in the best-defense-of-all-time conversation.

The NFC West champion Seahawks were Kaepernick's Kryptonite this season and, looking ahead, there's no obvious relief in sight. Of Seattle's 11 defensive starters in the NFC title game, 10 are under contract for the 2014 season, although off-the-bench pass-rushing stalwart Michael Bennett is a pending free agent.

On Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the Seahawks, who have won three of their past four meetings, would force the 49ers to raise the bar.

"They're an outstanding, worthy opponent," Harbaugh said. "... That's one thing about a rivalry that is a wonderful thing in football, at any level. It makes both teams aspire to be better, to be great."

Kaepernick, whose car was, again, the first in the players' lot Tuesday morning, doesn't figure to fall short because of a lack of desire. And he'll probably spend his offseason fueled by his final quarter.

Entering the final 15 minutes of the NFC title game, Kaepernick had committed one turnover in his previous 24 quarters, a stretch spanning 62 drives. His final three drives against Seattle, however, ended with his lost fumble and two interceptions.

In the 49ers' first two playoff games, Kaepernick got away with notable near-misses. On the third play of a game-winning drive at Green Bay, he underthrew a short pass that was nearly intercepted by cornerback Micah Hyde. In a divisional win at Carolina, Kaepernick's slant from his 3-yard line was jumped by safety Quintin Mikell, who couldn't finish the play.

Against Seattle, which led the NFL with 28 interceptions and has three All-Pros in the secondary, Kaepernick paid for his mistakes.

His first interception - an underthrown short pass - was nearly identical to his late throw in Green Bay. This time, however, safety Kam Chancellor, didn't drop it.

Then, even before his ill-fated final snap, Kaepernick had decided to throw to wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who was in a one-on-one matchup with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. On Tuesday, Harbaugh said the decision was the correct one.

Former Fox analyst Tim Ryan, who was hired as the 49ers' radio analyst Wednesday, didn't take issue with the predetermined pass, but noted the situation. It was first down at Seattle's 18 and the 49ers had two timeouts remaining with 30 seconds left. Translation: Kaepernick had to throw a touchdown-or-try-again pass.

Instead, it was deflected by Sherman and intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith.

"I get taking a shot," Ryan said. "But if you take that shot, there's only one place you can put that ball and that's on the back pylon. (Don't allow) a 6-foot, 3-inch spider with long arms that plays the trail position to go up and get it ... To me, it's all about growth in terms of decision-making and maturity by the quarterback."

The good news for the 49ers as they attempt to overtake the Seahawks is that Kaepernick, who has been a starter for one full season, figures only to get better. And he was nearly good enough to beat Seattle at CenturyLink Field, where he flashed his transcendent talent.

He had the longest run (58 yards) by a quarterback in NFL playoff history, the second-highest postseason rushing total (130 yards) by a QB and, unofficially, one of the more jaw-dropping passes: He gave the 49ers a 17-10 lead with an on-the-move, 26-yard, jump-pass touchdown to Anquan Boldin, who was seemingly blanketed by safety Earl Thomas.

Harbaugh's assessment: "I thought Colin played his ass off."

In the end, though, Kaepernick didn't play well enough to conquer his biggest problem.

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